BC Hydro works with substation neighborhood © Layne Christensen News Reporter laync@nsnews.com CHILDREN’S laughter fil-' tered through the trees : Saturday as the littlest resi- dents of Mountain Estates planted seedlings in their backyard forest. The leafy greenbelt surrounding BC Hydro's Lynn Valley substation was the source of controversy last surmmer as townhome residenis and their neigh- - bors protested a proposal by the com- pany to remove approximately 60 mature ees from the pro; But on Saturday, it was all ‘miles as BC Hydro representatives joined about - 70 residents at 2 hot dog barbecue to celebrate the close of the 10-month project to selectively remove and replace trees around the substation. Mountain Estates resident Loren Moves was on a committee formed to assess the ree removal and replanting process. Moyes is pleased with the out- come. “The whole thing was an absolute success,” sid the mother of nvo. BC Hydro “really came to the call. The way they came forward and met us in the middle, they almost outdid them- selves.” “A BC Hydro decision to fell rees weakened by disease had drawn about 60 area residents to a public meeting in July. Since then, substation neighbors and BC Hydro have reached a compro- In December and January, Timberline Tree Services was hired to remove mature trees to the south and northwest of the substation. In all, 61 trees were chopped. Another 22 were cut down in height, crowned to discourage, segrowth and retained as “wildlife” trees for bird habi- > ~-tat, On Easter weekend, the area was replanted with |: 20 Western red cedars, nwo metres in height. BC Hydro community relations spokesman Gene Bryant said the ‘electrical company will use the Lynn. Snowboard duo found demo forest Kevin Shoesmith Contributing Writer THE wish for one last ride left two young snowboarders walking through Mount Seymour provincial park in the middle of the night. The two Burnaby youths, age 15 and 17, had hiked into an uncontrolled area of the park last weekend. They were found wet and a little worse for wear but unhurt at about 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning, said North Shore Rescue Team manager Tim Jones. The two were snowboarding near an area called First Pump when they became lost. “They were trying to avoid some crevasses in the area. It’s very dangerous terrain,” said Jones. “Bur ic was an honest mis- take they made.” They were forced by the ter- rain into an area called Suicide Gully, The pair made it to a watershed access road in the Seymour Demonstration Forest. That was where they were See Rescuers page 5 Wednesday, April 29, 1998 — North Shore News — 3 Truce reached over trees SIX-YEAR-OLD Danie} Wood and BC Hydro representative Barbara Trevitt plant one of 150 seediings supplied by 8C Hydro to mark the completion of the Lynn Valley substation hazard tree project. a win-win for everyone,” said Bryant. ; underbrush Valley experience as a model for other communities. “This project has proven that with consultation and communication, a contentious issue can result in ‘Anne Pearsall’ Mountain Estates home backs onto the greenbelt. She said the residents’ supervision “of tree removal was key to reducing damage to the on them (BC Hydro) brought it to thar outcome,” she said. “I think if nobody had cared about it, they may not have been as careful.” One tree that was to be retained as a wildlife tree was cut shorter than planned, said Pearsall. BC Hydro was notiSed :and the tall stump was recut into the form of a large chair. The wee, located near a playground, is a hit with the kids. North Van City residenis in Seymour face 1998 tax increase Mayor announces 2. a% hike, focus on Lower Lonsdale Jolanda Waskite Contributing Writer NORTH Vancouver City resi- dents are facing a 2.42% prop- | erty tax hike this year. The increase, announced on Monday by Mayor Jack Loucks, works out to approximately $28.38 for the aver- age city home and $8.87 for a city condo. “The city council continues to take pride in ensuring that the city’s rax levy remains among the lowest in the Lower Mainland without compromising services offered to our taxpayers,” Loucks said. Third reading of the budget bylaw was passed by council at the mecting, with final reading and adoption to proceed next week. In 1997, city taxpayers had absorbed a 3.4% proper- ty tax increase, equivalent to about $39 a year for a sin- gie-family home and about $10 for a condominium. Last year, Loucks said the tax increase was due most- ly to a $930,000 decrease in provincial government funding. This year, he said the tax hike takes into account “increased emphasis” on the city’s livability. “Substantial progress is being made towards the overall development of the Lower Lonsdale area with the associated improvements in residential and business opportunities, ” Loucks said. “The city’s planning staff are working closely with the owners of the old Versatile Shipyards site ... to expe- dite redevelopment of these large areas that will play a major role in the future ambience of the city’s water- front area. : “A major focus of council’s deliberations is to ensure that city residents obtain increased waterfront access and recreational amenities. The creation of a new waterfront park and a trail system will give city residents greatly increased opportunities in this arca.” City projects planned for this year include: @ the addition of two constables, increasing the city’s 60-member RCMP to 62. Once of these officers will be dedicated as the Lower Lonsdale community consta- ble —- an initiative the city has taken in response to con- cerns of public safety. ® the city is placing emphasis on beautification with support for the Communities in Bloom program and a major upgrade to the Civic Plaza locared at West }4th Street. @ the city will be installing audible traffic signals at 23rd Street and Lonsdale Avenuc, 13th Street and Lonsdale, and Third Street and Lonsdale. The city is also continu- ing to fund an adult crossing guard program for the safety of school children. & construction of a Lower Level transportation route will be completed. @ $605,000 has been set aside to fund the renovation of Centennial Theatre, with construction expected to start this fall. B® 2 9,000-square-foot addition to city hall to provide new meeting space and offices for staff currently housed off site will be completed this year. The building's air conditioning system will also be upgraded, M@ the Environmental Protection Program Committee of Public and staff will bring forward recommendations for a city-wide program this year. The city is also looking at a partnership with BC Gas and BC Hydro to eaplore the potential for a Community Energy System in the Lower Lonsdale area. Meanwhile, North ‘Vancouver District tax rates will rise by 3% in each property class. The owner of an aver- age assessed home will be facing a $36 increase in munic- ipal taxes. “I’m confident that the pressure the residents put Three hit with spray THREE teenage boys were pepper sprayed in the face on April 4 after refusing to turn over their wallets and moncy “to two older youths. Police are locking for the , would-be robbers, estimated to be 16 to 19 years old. The first suspect is described as being Caucasian, 1.85 m (671”) with dark brown hair and brown cyes. The second suspect may be of mixed Asian descent. He was described as being 1.75 m (5°9”) with short brown hair. He wore a white hooded pullover and a white Nike ball cap. Police say the pepper spray victims did not turn over any money during the 6:45 p.m. incident in the 2300-block of Lonsdale Avenue. Anyone with information is asked to call North : Vancouver RCMP Const. Sue Tupper at 985-1311 or Crime Stoppers at 669-8477. Teens held at knifepoint POLICE are investigating allegations that two teenagers _ Were held in a Deep Cove- airea house at knife point on April 23 by teenagers the alleged victims knew. North Vancouver RCMP say the owners of the house “on Russell Court were out of ‘town when their teenage son ‘had friends over. The teenage son went to police the next day and ° reported that he and another guest were held at knife point in the basement. The teenage son told police that while he was being restrained, youths that he knew stole items in the house. No one was injured in the incident. No names were released. Police issue fraud alert NORTE. Vancouver Mounties want to warn business owners about a man selling T-shirt orders under the name of Seuth T. Shirt Canada. Police say a Riverside Drive businessman bought a shipment of the T-shirts by cheque several weeks ago. The shipment never arrived. The bogus T-shirt whole- saler is a suspect in other fraud scams. He is described as being an Asian male, age 40 to 45. He drives a red mini van. Call 985-1311 with information. — Anna Marie D’Angelo